Presley to host forum for business owners Friday in Pittsboro

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley will host a public forum Friday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. at the Courthouse in Pittsboro to inform business owners of aid available to them.

Brandon Presley

“One hindrance to the success of small business is high utility bills. As Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District, I see the stresses that these costs can put on businesses trying to get off the ground and stay open during tough economic times,” Presley said. “In response, this Commission asked for the cooperation of Mississippi’s electric and natural gas utilities in encouraging small business through the creation of incentive programs.”

“The Commission has approved riders for Entergy Mississippi, Mississippi Power Company, Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Wilmut Gas; offering incentives ranging from reduced rates and waived security deposits to the encouragement of development of vacant buildings. As of November 2012, the last date on which data was compiled, over 400 small businesses had taken advantage of the programs, resulting in a total savings of over $14,000. Of course, those numbers have only gone up since that time. Those savings are available to be re-directed into hiring workers and growing the economy.”

“I commend CEDA for its promotion of and aid to small businesses in Mississippi. These small business owners are the backbone of our state’s economy,” Presley said. “They have no lobbyists, yet they are, many times, the ones putting people to work. I share your desire to give them as many resources for success as possible.”